Russian Honey Cake -- Medovik (with Eggless Custard Filling)

For this month's International Cooking Challenge, Saras @ Saras Yummy Bites is taking us to the world's largest country in the world, Russia. Russia's cuisine is very diverse just like the country and she gave us 3 traditional recipes to choose from. I picked this irresistible Russian Honey Cake from the list.

I made it as a part of my Russian meal I did earlier this month. This honey cake is very different from any cake I've ever made. The cake part is not a cake after all, it is basically rolled out dough that is baked in the oven to make somewhat like thin pancakes. These thin cakes are then layered with creamy custard filling and then chilled to make a delicious cake.

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Zimbabwe -- Dobi (Spinach & Tomato with Peanut Butter sauce)

BM# 44: A-Z Cooking Series -- Around the World in 30 days
Country: Z for Zimbabwe

Dish: Dobi (Spinach & Tomato with Peanut Butter sauce)

We are moving on to the last and final letter Z and we are going to Zimbabwe today. Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in southern Africa, between Zambezi & Limpopo rivers.
Zimbabwean cuisine is much like the other African countries. They rely on a few staple foods. Cornmeal is used to make porridge called sadza or isitshwala and is usually served with meat and vegetables. Rice, pasta and potato based foods also make up part of Zimbabwean cuisine. A local favorite is rice cooked with peanut butter that is served with thick gravy, mixed vegetables and meat.

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Yemen -- Carrot Rice

BM# 44: A-Z Cooking Series -- Around the World in 30 days
Country: Y for Yemen

Dish: Yemeni Carrot Rice

Today we are going to Yemen, an Arab country in Southwest Asia. We are only a day way from our final destination tomorrow and I can't believe how fast the month passed.
The first dish I made for Yemen was a colossal failure -- the first and last failure in my entire A-Z International series. I was quite upset since I planned to make it at the very end and didn't have enough time to remake it. So I picked a very quick and simple (no-fail) recipe for Yemeni Carrot rice from the blog Queen of Sheba. This is an awesome Yemeni food blog that has a ton of authentic Yemeni recipes.

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Spicy Mexican Home Fries

I'm not sure how authentic these home fries are, but I believe Bobby Flay knows what he's doing. So I went with it and made these for the Mexican brunch. These fried potatoes are crispy, spicy and delicious.

Recipe adapted from here.
Spicy Home Fries:

Ingredients: Serves 2~3

Potatoes - 2 medium, boiled and chopped
Onion -1 medium, chopped
Garlic - 2 cloves, minced
Jalapeno pepper - 1 small, chopped
Ancho chile powder - 1tsp (adjust as per spice preference)
Lime zest - 1tsp
Salt & Pepper - to taste

Method:

• Heat 1tbsp oil in a cast iron skillet or a heavy bottom nonstick pan on medium flame. Add onions and jalapeno, cook till the onions are translucent.
• Add garlic and chili powder and salt. Cook for 1 minute.
• Next add the boiled and chopped potatoes. Lightly mash the potatoes with the back of the spoon and cook undisturbed until the potatoes get nice and crusty.
• Mix and cook till all the potatoes form a crust. Add salt, pepper and lime zest. Mix well and serve immediately.

Check the complete Mexican brunch here.